This ivory plaque is part of the so-called "Nimrud Ivories." The sphinx wears the typical Egyptian Pharaohs' double crown and an apron with cobra. This indicates that the plaque was made by a Phoenician craftsman. From Nimrud (ancient Kalhu) northern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Neo-Assyrian period, 911-612 BCE. (The British Museum, London).

Granite sphinx of Taharqa, 25th Dynasty, c. 690-664 BCE.
This statue from Kawa (Temple T) in Sudan shows the Pharaoh's face on a Lion figured sphinx, a form of royal representation borrowed from Middle and New Kingdom art. Taharqa was a Nubian / black African Pharaoh, and his African features are clearly visible on the statue.

Buried for most of its life in the desert sand, an air of mystery has always surrounded the Great Sphinx, causing speculation about its age and purpose, method of construction, concealed chambers, role in prophesy, and relationship to the equally mysterious pyramids. Much of this theorizing is to the despair of Egyptologists and archaeologists, who, reasonably... [continue reading]

Ram-headed sphinxes deposited in the first court in Temple of Karnak, Egypt. Before the temple was extended by the construction of the first cour and its pylon, these sphinxes were part of the original approach. When the approach avenue was shorted, under the 22nd Dynasty, the surplus sphinxes were deposited in the newly built court. The ram of Amon, shown... [continue reading]